Products and components in construction: Knowledge hub

[edit] Summary

Products are finished items manufactured for sale such as doors, windows, HVAC units etc as distinct from raw materials (like sand or steel) and services (like design or installation).They are tangible, finished outputs offered for sale, combining materials into usable forms as such.

Construction components are parts of systems or assemblies, specific parts within a building, like bolts, latches, or sensors, used to assemble larger products or systems.including fittings, fixtures, equipment, and building elements.

Both are essential to construction, influencing cost, performance, regulatory compliance, sustainability, and buildability. Designing Buildings wiki has hundreds of articles covering everything from specific items like radiators to broad systems like modular units and digital tools.

[edit] Why do products and components matter ?

They are the key elements of any building and can help define its quality, safety, and longevity, influencing cost, performance, efficiency, and sustainability through specification and sourcing. Most products used today have a central obligation to meet any required regulatory compliance (e.g., CE/UKCA marking, fire safety), potentially with warranties, guarantees and so on. Selection can impact logistics, coordination, construction, programmes and so on and be assembled either on site or off-site in modular or unitised systems. In summary products and components imapct:

• Assembly of a building: Without defined, specifiable items, construction cannot progress.
• Performance & compliance: Ensure buildings meet structural, thermal, acoustic, fire, and hygiene standards.
• Efficiency & quality control: Prefabrication and standardisation can shorten programmes, reduce waste, and improve fit.
• Cost management: Choosing the right products helps budget control and lifecycle cost planning.
• Innovation & sustainability: New materials (e.g., phase-change, recycled plastics) and off-site methods (MMC) drive efficiency and environmental goals.
• Coordination: Products and components must be properly specified in drawings and specifications to avoid clashes and ensure proper installation.

Products and components form the physical fabric of construction, influencing performance, compliance, quality, and sustainability. Designing Buildings offers hundreds of detailed articles—from specific items like epoxy adhesives, radiators, and ETFE panels, to systems like modular buildings and smart meter networks—providing guidance on selection, specification, standards, and installation.

[edit] Key articles about products and components

Below are 30 notable Designing Buildings wiki articles in this category:

• Building products – Defines finished items sold for construction, distinguishing them from materials and services.
• Constituent construction product – Manufacturer specific item used in another specified product.
• Specification for construction – Documents that describe required products, materials, and work in a contract.
• Construction materials – Overview of raw substances used as fundamental inputs for products.
• Elements of buildings – Lists building elements like cladding and structural components.
• Radiator – Details types and functions of radiators in heating systems.
• Doors – Explains components and design considerations of building doors.
• Double glazing – Compares performance of double glazed vs triple glazed windows.
• Ductwork – Covers the design and application of ducts in HVAC systems.
• Drywall construction – Explains components and methods of installing drywall.
• External wall insulation – Describes systems used to insulate building exteriors.
• Cladding for buildings – Reviews types and performance requirements of cladding.
• ETFE – Lightweight polymer panel product used for roofing and facades.
• Underfloor heating – Overview of components and benefits of UFH systems
• Alarm types – Reviews building alarm/product types (fire, security, etc.).
• Types of lighting – Discusses component varieties and applications of lighting.
• 3D concrete printer – Emerging product for automated on-site component fabrication.
• 3D city model – Digital product for planning and asset management.
• Modern methods of construction – Systemic use of off-site products/modules to improve builds.
• Modular buildings – Factory built modules assembled on site
• Prefabrication – Use of products/components manufactured off-site for efficiency.
• Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) – Designing components for ease of production and assembly
• Adhesives – Construction grade glues vital for bonding components
• Epoxy adhesives – High-performance resin products for structural bonding.
• Cladding assurance register (CAR) – Product certification framework post-fire safety issues.
• Cool roofs – Roofing products designed to reflect solar radiation.
• Rainwater harvesting – Product systems for capturing and storing rainwater
• Remote meter reading system – Products enabling digital monitoring of utilities.
• Accessible meter – Component design for accessible utility metering.
• Clinker in construction – Product component used in mortar and cement manufacturing.